Ireland's proposed summer tour to Fiji won't take place, IRFU confirm

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: 'It would have been a tough rugby challenge against an excellent Fijian side and a huge opportunity for us to develop as a group'

Ireland’s proposed summer tour to Fiji was cancelled on Friday following a Covid-19 outbreak on the Pacific island, dealing a major blow to Andy Farrell’s hopes of developing squad depth ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Planning had been in full swing for a two or three-Test series against the Fijians this July, when head coach Farrell could have measured the depth of his playing pool with possibly 10 or more frontline Test starters due to be otherwise engaged with the British & Irish Lions in South Africa.